In 2008, model Sophia Joy Gilje broke her back in a snowboarding accident in southern France. Doctors feared she would never walk again.
Following intensive rehabilitation and physiotherapy, the athletic 24-year-old has not only recovered from her devastating injury, she's competing as a competitive windsurfer.
She's currently ranked 2nd in the United Kingdom.
Even a recent injury — she fell earlier this year and was ordered to not use her arms for 6 weeks — isn't holding her back.
"I thought that after I had graduated I was ready to really start my new life, but it didn't end up that way. It was very frustrating, and it's not the first time it's happened."
Gilje was determined to keep surfing.
"It was long and boring and I had to do lots of exercises to get my back in shape, but I'm okay now," she told the Daily Record.
She's now prepping for the Tiree Wave Classic windsurfing contest, the biggest windsurfing competition in the U.K.
She placed second in the event last year. Just two weeks ago, Gilje competed in an event in Ireland.
"Now am just SOO happy to be able to do sports again, can't compete in snowboarding anymore but windsurfing is now my real passion just totally in love with it and the waves it's sooooo siiiick! Great to have a girl community!" Gilje wrote on World of Windgirls.
Gilje hopes to go pro and compete in the Professional Windsurfers Association world tour next year.